Dear ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë community,

I am writing to share with you the bittersweet news that Vice President for Finance and Administration Richard Cate will retire from ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë effective June 27, 2025.

Richard’s 17 years of exemplary service to ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë have been an incredible gift to the university and I am forever thankful for his knowledge, his collaboration, his creativity, his problem solving, and his mentorship. He joined our institution in 2008 during the national financial crisis and played an invaluable role in helping the university navigate historically difficult financial circumstances and challenges during this time.

Richard’s tenure as CFO has been marked by ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë maintaining a balanced budget, solidifying its financial condition, and undergoing several millions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure improvements and new construction. Through his negotiation and cooperation with local developers, Richard has helped ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë enter third-party ownership arrangements to address vital housing needs with on- and off-campus expansions.

As a member of the university’s senior leadership team, Richard has provided tremendous input and perspective gleaned from his nearly two decades at the university and a career in public service that spans more than 50 years. He will be missed as much for his outstanding colleagueship as for his considerable knowledge and skills in finance. His institutional knowledge has been invaluable to each president he has served and his mentorship of leaders in finance and administration has been significant.

Richard will remain in his position through the end of the fiscal year. We will be in touch with next steps, including the announcement of a national search for his successor. We are confident that Richard’s hard work and expertise have set ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë’s division of finance and administration up for a smooth and stable leadership transition.

Please join me in thanking Richard for his many years of impeccable service and wishing him all the very best in his well-deserved retirement.

Thank you,

Patty Prelock
Interim President